Physiotherapist to be trialled at free walk in centre
Canberrans will have access to a free physiotherapy service when a trial begins at one of the territory's nurse-led walk in centres later this year.
The centres are unique to the ACT in Australia and have proved popular with the public, offering free nurse led treatment for minor illness and injury.
But the model is opposed by doctors' groups including the Australian Medical Association and the Royal College of General Practitioners, who have instead called for an integrated model involving GPs.
According to government figures, a visit with a nurse at one of the centres costs ACT tax payers $190 compared to less than $40 for a GP visit.
It’s not clear how much the addition of physiotherapists will cost.
Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris said the trial of a physiotherapist was part of a broader expansion of the service.
“A 12 month trial of an advanced practice musculo-skeletal physiotherapist is planned to commence later in 2018 at a [centre] to provide initial care and advice to patients who present with acute joint and muscle injuries," she said.
“We are also working on plan for nurses to be able to complete a risk screen for people who present with possible diabetes.
“ACT Health will continue to work with GPs and other stakeholders to develop better ways of working together to deliver better health outcomes for patients.”
But opposition health spokeswoman Vicki Dunne said the addition of physiotherapists at the centres showed it was a “flawed model" which undermined local GPs and put pressure on emergency departments.
“The fact that Minister Fitzharris is now experimenting with physiotherapists is the first admission that the model isn’t working," she said.
“This shows that there needs to be a review of walk in centres that involves the full range of health providers in the ACT.”
Walk in centres have had steady growth in patient attendance, offering free care for minor illness and injury between 7.30am and 10pm every day.
Year to date, there has been a 15-per-cent increase in presentations at the Belconnen centre and nine per cent increase at the Tuggeranong centre, while construction on a third walk in centre at Gungahlin commenced early this year.
"The [walk in centre] model of care aims to complement general practitioner and emergency department services to ensure that people have access to a range of care options that best suit their needs," Ms Fitzharris said.
"Since the [centres] opened, further development of the scope of the nurse-led services has occurred. We want to make sure we enhance the timely provision of urgent care closer to where people live, and utilise the capacity in the [centres]."
Since September 2017, the centres have also offered the removal of plaster casts for patients where the doctor has agreed further medical review is not required.
A 12 month trial has also commenced to provide additional sexual health outreach clinics for people at higher risk of STI and blood borne viruses.
This is a collaborative project between Canberra Sexual Health Centre, the WiCs and Aids Action Council of ACT.